With All of the Apple Products, Which iOS Device Do I Buy? Ideas for Visually Impaired & Blind

iOS Basics

• Whether you chose and iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Mini, or an iPad they all basically do the same thing.
• All newer iOS devices have the same Accessibility Options to include VoiceOver, Zoom, and Siri.
• The basic difference between these devices are screen size, screen resolution, internet connectivity, and memory (16G, 32G, 64G)

Quick Recommendations

• Blind Child for Personal Use(K-6): iPod Touch
• Blind Child for Personal & Academic Use: iPhone
• Blind Child for Academic Use: iPad Mini
• Low Vision Students for Personal & Academic Use: iPad 3 - Air or iPhone

iOS devices for the Blind

• As a general rule operating an iOS device, utilizing the VoiceOver Gestures is much easier on an iPhone or and iPod Touch. Why? Because the screen is smaller. It is easier to locate a button or menu option in a smaller space as it requires less searching.
• If you are utilizing an iOS device connected to a Braille Display the screen size does not matter as VoiceOver commands will allow you to easily locate all buttons and menu items using a simple command.

Now, what is the purpose for using the iOS device?

• If you are using an iOS device with VI Blind students in school as a note-taker then I would suggest using the iPad Mini. Why? Because the screen size is still small enough to navigate using VoiceOver Gestures. The screen size is also big enough for classroom teachers to see and assist students.

That’s right, sometimes you have to consider the “Sighties” too. If you can't get teachers and
parents to support your assistive technology in the classroom most likely any device will fail.

• Using a larger screen allows teacher and parents assist students by locating Apps, assist students in finding their place within a document simply by touching the target area, as well as with reading.
• For example, while a blind student is reading text on their Braille display they may come across a word they do not know. At that time you can simply say show me the word you are having trouble with. The student will hit the braille router key and the text cursor will appear on iPad screen exactly on the word they are having trouble with.
• Another Example, while a blind student is navigating a document or textbook they may not be able to independently locate the request location. At that point, the teacher can look at the screen and touch the correct location. The Braille cursor will then highlight the correct location of the text and display it on the Braille display.

Want to know if you Blind Student is actually following along in class?

A Blind student utilizing a refreshable braille display does not actually need to touch the iPad at
all. Many times I have the sighted teacher hold the iPad while the student reads along with the
class or completes work assignments. The student only needs to utilize the Braille display. If
your student is relying on Braille and VoiceOVer Speech simply hook up a Bluetooth headset.
Are you writing last minute instructions on the board or providing board examples for your class
and want your blind student to follow along?

Give the iPad to the classroom teacher. All teachers write examples on the board and re-read
what is written on the board to the class. Utilizing an App like notes or Pages will allow the
classroom teacher to hit the mic button on the keyboard. Siri will listen you what you have said
and display it as text on the iPad. This text will be immediately displayed on the Braille Display.

Choosing a Device for a Low Vision Student

Choosing a device for a low vision student is simple. It is all about screen size, thus all you need
is an iPad as it has the largest screen.

Using a Smart Board?

• You can connect the iPad to a Smart Board using an App like join.me or TeamViewer. Utilizing Apps with screen sharing allows the low vision student to view your presentation on their iPad as well as magnify the presentation on their iPad without affecting your presentation.

Did you forget to make a large print copy of your student?

• Simply email the student the worksheet. The student can load the worksheet onto their iPad and magnify it to the size they need. Another way to do this is to have the teacher or the student take a picture of the worksheet using their iPad. This picture can easily be magnified using a pinch, zoom magnifier, or even converted into a PDF or text file using an App like Prizmo OCR.
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Is the iPad screen too small? Want to use your iPad like a CCTV system?

Here are a few ways to do this.
You can connect your iPad to a larger monitor or a TV.

How?
iOS devices can connect using Apple TV, HDMI, or VGA. These products are all available for
purchase at the apple store. HDMI or VGA Apple connectors can be purchase for about $25 to
$35.

Want to write under your iPad to sign documents or complete worksheets?
Several vendors a now selling iPad stands. If you can find a specific stand I'd suggest searching
the DJ websites as they have several models.